BEAVERTON, Ore. – Portland Timbers goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts and midfielder Diego Chará, both of whom left the game injured in Saturday's 1-1 draw against the Seattle Sounders, will be out for Wednesday's match against the MLS-leading San Jose Earthquakes at Buck Shaw Stadium (10:30 pm ET, watch LIVE online).
Ricketts' injury appears to be the most serious.
The team said he sustained a Grade 1 shoulder separation resulting from his collision with Seattle Sounders forward Eddie Johnson in the 52nd minute of their 1-1 draw this past Saturday. Timbers interim head coach Gavin Wilkinson said the Jamaican will likely be out two weeks, four at the most.
Rookie third-string goalkeeper Joe Bendik, who allowed Sounders forward Fredy Montero's 57th-minute goal just seconds after coming on for Ricketts, will start in goal on Wednesday.
"[Bendik has] already made his debut for us, and for us, he's expected to go and do a job," Wilkinson said. "Donovan Ricketts is a very good goalkeeper in our opinion and Joe Bendik is on the squad for a reason and will be given a chance."
Backup goalkeeper Jake Gleeson was injured in Sunday's reserves match against the Sounders, sustaining a bone bruise and partially torn ligament Wilkinson said. The Timbers called up MLS pool goalkeeper Scott Angevine to back up Bendik in the San Jose match.
Chará suffered a groin strain against Seattle and came off in the 87th minute and will also miss between two and four weeks. Wilkinson getting some fresh faces in the lineup for their two-game road trip, which includes a Saturday match against Real Salt Lake, could provide a good opportunity to end their 13-game winless streak away from JELD-WEN Field.
"We've contemplated changing the lineup and bring in some fresh bodies," Wilkinson said. "It's still in discussion, and we're waiting to see. But it's definitely been a big talking point."
Dan Itel covers the Timbers for MLSsoccer.com. E-mail him at dcitel@hotmail.com.
